Tim Knapman’s tall tale: The Castle Cat

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19 October 2018 • 9:00am

History is very much a cat and mouse game in this fun, funny children’s story (and animated video narrated by Cerrie Burnell) which takes place through the millennia at military stronghold Dover Castle

To help you get out more and enjoy all our beautiful countryside has to offer, the Telegraph has partnered with MINI and English Heritage to create a series of family adventures at four history-packed landmarks.

To fire your kids’ imaginations about the adventures ahead, we’ve tasked four bestselling children’s authors to write fun stories set at each location, with characters brought to life by award-winning illustrator Rob Biddulph.

These have been turned into animated videos, narrated by Cerrie – perfect for the kids to watch in the back of the MINI Countryman as you zig-zig to the location itself.

To watch Timothy Knapman’s story, click on the video above – or scroll down to read this time-travelling tale set in dramatic Dover Castle…

The Castle Cat by Tim Knapman

Henry was the Dover Castle cat. He loved the castle because it was the perfect place to play chase with his friend, Adrian Mouse. They were running round the Roman lighthouse one afternoon when Adrian did something rather surprising.

He vanished into thin air.

Henry was still trying to work out what had happened when Adrian reappeared.

‘That’s cheating!’ said Henry. ‘I was just about to catch you and win the game!’

‘It’s not cheating,’ said Adrian. ‘I have a superpower. And that makes me a superhero.’

‘Since when were there superheroes at Dover Castle?’ said Henry.

Credit:
Rob Biddulph

‘The Avengers visited not so long ago,’ said Adrian.

He was right, but Henry still found it hard to believe that his friend was now a superhero.

‘And you can be a superhero, too,’ said Adrian. ‘Because it’s this place – it’s anywhere there’s been a lot of history. If you shut your eyes and imagine all the amazing things that happened there – KAZOOM! – you go back in time. Like in the Great Tower this morning. I was imagining what it would be like to meet the king who built it, and all of a sudden there I was, in front of Henry II himself.’

‘Good name,’ said Henry the cat. ‘What did he say?’

‘‘EEEEEK!’ said Adrian. ‘I don’t think he liked mice.’

‘But I do a lot of imagining,’ said Henry, ‘and I’ve never gone back in time.’

‘Maybe it’s easier for mice because we’re so small,’ said Adrian. ‘You’re bigger so you might have to imagine a bit harder.’

Henry shut his eyes and imagined as hard as he could – and then even harder still. There was an odd, fizzling feeling in his fur and when he opened his eyes again, the world around him was transformed. The lighthouse wasn’t lumpy and old: it was covered with smart new stone. And at the top of it, a fire burned so brightly it could be seen for miles around.

Henry hurried after his friend and looked down at the harbour. It was crammed with weary-looking Second World War soldiers

‘It shows the fleet where the harbour is,’ Adrian explained, pointing to the many mighty Roman ships moored below.

Henry had done it – imagined himself 2,000 years back into the past! It gave him the idea for the best game ever: a chase through time!

‘That’s really cool,’ giggled Adrian.

‘I’m coming to get you!’ Henry cried out and Adrian shut his eyes and vanished.

After a bit more hard imagining, Henry opened his eyes to find himself in the Middle Ages. He saw Adrian running towards the stone walls of the castle. Henry set off after him. He was just about to catch his friend when…

Razor-sharp arrows thudded into the ground around them.

‘The French are attacking the castle!’ cried Adrian. ‘And it looks like their archers are reloading! Quick – let’s hide in the secret wartime tunnels.’

‘But they won’t be built for another six hundred years!’ said Henry.

Adrian liked the idea of putting several centuries between them and those French archers. But when they arrived, there were running feet everywhere! They had to zigzag around to keep from getting trodden on.

‘It’s like everyone’s playing chase today!’ said Henry.

Then Adrian realised: ‘It’s Dunkirk!’ and he went running out onto the cliffs.

Henry hurried after his friend and looked down at the harbour. It was full – not with Roman ships this time, but little boats, crammed with weary-looking Second World War soldiers.

‘There’s been a chase all right, but it wasn’t a game,’ said Adrian. ‘The terrible enemy across the sea chased those soldiers until there was nowhere left for them to run to. It was getting ready to pounce when the clever people working in these tunnels sprang a surprise. They organised a fleet of small ships to snatch the soldiers out of harm’s way at the last minute. That’s why I love this place.’

‘Because it’s the perfect place to play chase?’ asked Henry, reaching out a paw. He was just about to win the game when Adrian said, ‘Because it’s the perfect place for a last-minute escape.’

Get out and about with the MINI Countryman

For family days out, there’s no better choice than the MINI Countryman, the adventurous SUV, as confident in the country as it’s nifty in the city.

The all-rounder family car, with optional four-wheel drive and advanced navigation technology is ready to carry you on your next family adventure. And with all the latest infotainment tech, including Apple CarPlay, no one’s going to be asking, ‘Are we there yet?’.

To find out more or to book a 48-hour test drive and start your family adventure visit mini.co.uk/countryman